Hawaii (part 1)

Wow it has been a long time since I have posted something. We have been very busy just like everyone else is I am sure. September was a crazy month, but at the very end Jared and I got a much needed break. For our ten year anniversary (and the dental convention for tax purposes) we took a week long trip to Hawaii. A big big thank you to my parents who watched all four of our kids while we were gone.

The view from our hotel room. We would sit out on the balcony and talk, play games on our phones, and just relax all with a fabulous view.


Jared wanted to try surfing. He actually did really well for his first time. Although next time he will be sure to take some dramamine before going out since he got seasick while surfing. I have heard of lots of things happening to people while surfing (broken limbs, cut up face, shark bites) but I have never heard of someone getting seasick.

This was Jared's instructor. Obviously very good at surfing.

I had to get a picture of the dog surfing. It is hard to first spot in the picture because he just blends right in. That dog stayed out there and up on that board for a long time.

10 down.....

We started out like this 10 years ago today

Now 1 college degree, 1 dental degree, 4 kids, too many moves to count across 4 different states, and lots and lots of memories later.....

This is us now.

10 years have flown by sometimes faster and sometimes slower than I want them to. It has been one crazy ride of which I would change absolutely nothing. Okay there are some things I would change like my bouquet since it turned out being nothing like what I wanted but whatever we still got married and everything worked out. We have had a great 10 years together. I am sure the next 10 will be even better (minus the teenage years ahead).

Side Note: Yes at one time Jared did have hair. Anyone who has not known him a long time is always surprised when they see these pictures that he has hair. Sometimes I think I should photoshop the picture so he doesn't have hair and put it in a frame. Then my kids will stop asking who is in the picture with me.

We made it through the summer and to the first day of school. It was a fun summer but at the same time it was a long summer. We were all excited about it myself more than the boys.

Mackenzie couldn't be left out of a picture.
Landon......my thoughts exactly.

Ethan's top front teeth have FINALLY started to come in.

Landon refused to smile this morning, surprise surprise, so this is all I got.

All in all it was a great day. We had trouble coordinating the pick up since the kids have to walk now (thank you budget cuts) so no one was really sure where to go. Landon lost his lunch box, Ethan got a hole in his brand new shirt, and I got my house somewhat clean today. I guess we'll call it good and hope for a smoother run tomorrow.

It is that time again.......

Best commercial ever made!

Results

It's over.
Finally.

No more swim team.

At least for a few weeks or months.

I loved it. Even though it meant some serious commitment with practices and meets by both the kids and I, it was great fun. I want them to swim year round. Although I have been informed (by Jared) that they are only 7 and 5. I say whatever they will swim year round. Yes, I am one of those moms. They are good at it and they can only get better. So here are a few pictures of the last swim meets along with their best times. They both qualified for the finals in the Championship meet and they both did great. We are so proud of them. They had so much improvement throughout the entire swim season.

Landon:

25 yard Freestyle: 27.03 sec.

25 yard Backstroke: 38.88 sec.

25 yard Butterfly: 32.78 sec.

Ethan:

25 yard Freestyle: 21.19 sec.

25 yard Backstroke: 27.48 sec.

25 yard Butterfly: 30.87 sec.

The 4th

Ward Breakfast at the park (I honestly did not see my other two kids until we left the park so no pictures of them)

Ashton thoroughly enjoyed the watermelon including the rhine.


Swimming with friends

We had 12 adults and 17 kids swimming. Laura's mom is a saint. She was so calm and laid back during all of this.

Then we made homemade ice cream. Laura and Brian got this portable ice cream maker as a gift. The ice cream goes in the middle and then you fill the plastic ball up with the ice and start rolling it. The kids rolled it for a little while then got tired of having to work for their treat so the adults started rolling. That ball was not light so they just threw it any way they could. Sorry Laura this picture had to be posted.

Then we went to my parents house to watch the big fireworks show the country club always does. We got there at 9 and waited until about 9:45 before we decided that maybe the stinkin economy was going to deny us our free fireworks show. So we packed up and headed home and as we turned the corner out of my parents neighborhood we saw them start. It was 10 pm. My kids were done. Although we have some very smart friends the Shaffers (a very big thank you) who actually brought fireworks to my parents and were nice enough to share with all the kids while we waited. Next year we will know not to start waiting for big fireworks until about 9:45 and to buy some ourselves.

We had a great 4th spent with great friends, great food and great fun....all in the greatest country of all! A big thank you to all of those that make it possible!

Dance Recital

(dress rehersal)

Way back in June (wow I am really gonna have to play catch up here) Mackenzie and my niece Chloe had their first dance recital. They were very excited to wear their costumes and us moms were excited to see whether they would just get up on stage and stand there or if they would really dance. Well we lucked out and they both did great on their dancing. I was a little irritated that we had to pay $16 a ticket for us to go see the show (I thought it would be more like $5-10) but there were some kids in the show (the little ones) who made it worth every cent. They were hysterical. Some paid no attention to the fact that they were supposed to dance the routine they learned they just did whatever dance they wanted. One little girl danced to her shadow on the back wall, and one little boy had moves all his own. The girls loved it and so did we.

(night of the show)

Of course after the show we had to get ice cream at Rosemary's (along with the rest of Bakersfield that had come from the same dance show)